The mini knock

[VanLifeCrisis]

Well that is..it wasn't the police. it was the chick in charge of the dam parks ...i guess with the corps of engineers. She asked me where i live and i told her the nearby town. She asked if i was fishing..i told her yeah. She said her camp hosts noticed my van there. I told her i like to get a nap after work then fish. <br><br>When did i arrive? Around 8...she said that's fine then. They just want people camping at the (paid) sites. She said i was fine and left but <br><br>I'm pretty sure I'm on notice and the next knock will be the sheriff who patrols constantly. Its my fault i guess..figured id be fine in normal park hours and parked in the shade away from others so I didn't blend in. Sucks...she controls the other spot i like on the other side of the dam too. &nbsp; Half sleep fishing to collaborate what i said then ill go a town over and lay low.

 

[James AKA Lynx]

You must be a "suspicious person" or a chick magnet.&nbsp;<br><br>James Veenstra

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

I wish it was the latter option<img src="/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

was so worried shed alert cops i parked 10 miles away at a Kroger ..the cool morning gone so restful sleep was not happening

 

[ontheroadagain]

this is what is turning me off to the whole van dwelling thing. I don't want to be a lurker always trying to not be busted for taking a nap. I checked a local campground and they get $ 695 for one month! I could rent a room in someone's home for less. I'm used getting sad about the whole thing. What ever happened to America Land of the Free

 

[owl]

&nbsp;&nbsp; The Land of The Free, the citizens fell asleep at the wheel. In exchange for all kinds of government aid and entitlements, it's now The Land of Big Brother. If you are in an area where an RV park gets $695 a month, guess what, you are in the wrong area. If you choose to live the way we do, get ready for differences in your day to day life. If you don't want to wear a coat and tie to dinner, don't go to restaurants that require them. This great big beautiful country is full of fantastic places to visit, camp, and enjoy. If you aren't in one of them, why aren't you?&nbsp;&nbsp; If you would like to see another side of this life and some great pictures go to&nbsp; <A href="http://rvsueandcrew.net/" rel=nofollow target=_blank>http://rvsueandcrew.net/</A>&nbsp;What I'm saying is, don't let the sometimes negative parts of life get in the way of you having a positive life. Be the captain of your ship, that's what you see looking back at you in the mirror, set a course for contentment. Happiness is just a small part of contentment, but being contented, Ahh! Not trying to preach. Just hoping to set some minds on the quest I have been fortunate enough to enjoy most of my life.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Yeah, I have tethered myself to this area for my job.&nbsp; While its a rural area, I have to remember some level of stealth (well...my van sticks out no matter what..) or at least blending in is required.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; If you aren't tied to one job or place, then there are many other options.&nbsp; <br><br>In fact, there is a free sanctioned campsite at a much bigger dam just 35-40 minutes from me.&nbsp; I'm just being greedy and trying not to leave the vicinity of my work.&nbsp;&nbsp; Even if i went to pay this dam's site free its only $8 a night.&nbsp; But my apartment was 250, only 10 dollars more (tho utilities add up). <img src="/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; <br><br>I still gotta work out a few more morning spots, but I think everything will work out.&nbsp;

 

[user 423]

<span id="post_message_1278606364">

In exchange for all kinds of government aid and entitlements, it's now The Land of Big Brother.

<br><br>Really? And all along I thought it was because a spooked Congress and Darth Vader put the machinery in gear back in 2001.<br></span>

 

[offroad]

OnTheRoadAgain -&nbsp; Great point.&nbsp; People are renting out rooms.&nbsp; Couch surfing.&nbsp; Hitting up Air Bed and Breakfast places (aka AirBNB.com).&nbsp;&nbsp; Much cheaper than high cost camp grounds.&nbsp; <br><br>The camp grounds that charge $700 a month are all making a profit as fast as they can.&nbsp; They are providing a service to the rich, naive, super RV folks. Cant fault some business for wanting to make lots of money.&nbsp; American-Pirate-Ferengi way and all. &nbsp; <br><br><br>Would be nice if the hobo tramp poor folks could have a placeto sleep without being hustled-hassled.&nbsp; <br><br>A future of roaming heat signature detecting drones flying above the forests will soon be here.&nbsp; Might be drug growers, and illegal past 14 day boondockers, or other weirdos out there.&nbsp; Tin foil hat on.<br><br><br><br>

 

[user 423]

Gee OR, let's not turn his routine encounter into an example of extreme persecution. It was just a gov't employee (or an employee of a vendor who contracts with the government to manage camping areas) enforcing the rules. It is a pity that some of "the people" routinely trash the great outdoors and make rules necessary.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Well technically i violated no rules of the park.&nbsp; People lay down and sleep in the park (grass/beach) during normal hours all the time. &nbsp;&nbsp; But then again, she didn't kick me out either, so it wasn't a bad encounter as things go but the end result is i no longer feel comfortable sleeping there....in fact i am nervous even going there because i can imagine pretty easily her mentioning to the real cops a 'suspicious person' and that will lead to hassles.&nbsp; Maybe its not the case but the risk is there.<br><br>

 

[rvwandering]

Dazar,&nbsp; I agree with slowday. What you're doing is fine. The camp hosts saw you early in the morning and thought that you might have stayed overnight. Now that they know you just came early it should be okay. Do you have a lawn chair? Take it down to the lake, stick your pole in the water, stretch out and go to sleep. Or leave your door open,read a book and zonk out. The parks are made for everyone to use. <br><br>&nbsp;We've had a few encounters with busybodies in small community parks. If we're staying a Walmart and it's really hot we find a nice little park, get under a shady tree, maybe get the grill out. The people who take care of the parks are a little concerned about a RV in their parks,especially when it's getting late and the parks close at dusk. Just assure any questioners that you're following all of the rules. Chat them up a bit so they know you're harmless.

 

[Jack Grit]

[No message]

 

[RJCooper]

$8 is cheap.&nbsp;

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Had a real knock from the police today, bummed me out.&nbsp; I posted about it in my captain's log<br><br>8$ a day is about what i paid in rent for an apartment...and the camping spots crammed in a median strip of grass in the center of a U shaped road with about 10 feet separating the sites.&nbsp; I guess id pay it if i have too but it doesn't seem worth it to me.

 

[Patrick46]

here's an idea you might wanna try...<BR><BR>post an ad in the local shopper, a laundry mat or grocery bull board saying that you're looking to rent a spot in a driveway to park your rig. maybe try to find one close to your work so you could walk. (any co-workers you could try??)<BR>Ca$h works wonder in this.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

I tried my co workers, tho i know they all own their homes and probably could, they all became very reluctant when i brought it up.&nbsp; Im on good terms with them all and don't want to push it.<br><br>One did say she knew a place near her that rented out spots and she thinks they are really cheap, shes gonna inquire for me.&nbsp; She also told about a place closer to my work that might have something too i plan to check out.&nbsp; These kinda places are tucked away and no signage so its hard to know where they are and who to talk to <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif" class="bbc_img"><br><br><br>I thought about putting a flier on krogers...im at a loss to how to word it so that it doesn't translate in their mind as "Suspicious homeless guy in van wants to park on your property and do who knows what."

 

[Salida Scarlett]

When we were in Grand Junction, CO this June, hell hole hot, by the way, we wanted to simply drive through this very tiny state park there by the Colorado river to see what it was like. A park ranger <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/mad.gif">&nbsp;came barreling&nbsp;out of the park ofc&nbsp;and told us we weren't driving through unless we paid first. He was very rude,&nbsp;kind of like a bridge troll or something. We are now avoiding state parks. There are plenty of other places to visit, and even stay overnight free, although I can see that rapidly changing. The government, cities and states are starting to view RV'ers as the Irish Travelers in the UK as unwanted parasites and squatters, &nbsp;unless you have a new rig and stay in an expensive paid park. I think this is going to get&nbsp;much worse in the future.

 

[mockturtle]

Owl is right.&nbsp; No way do you have to pay $695/month to park your van!&nbsp; There are plenty of places that charge $400 or even much less.&nbsp; If you're willing to keep moving, many federal camping areas are either free or under $10/day.&nbsp; <br><br>"Land of the Free' doesn't mean everything&nbsp;<em>is</em> free.&nbsp; Very few things in life are free.&nbsp; Even freedom isn't free.&nbsp; Just sayin'.&nbsp;

 

[Patrick46]

Scarlett....I'm sure the reason the ranger came down on you was there was likely a 'day use fee', so even if you wanted to stop and feed the ducks, there was a parking fee...(which was probably included if you had purchased a camping spot.)<BR><BR>Why do you gotta make it a personal attack??? Pretty unlikely.<BR><BR><BR><BR>Dazar...aren't there any RV parks nearby?? They very often have cheaper monthly rates, which includes electricity, showers, and laundry facilities. Plus, no more hastles from 'Da Man'!! <IMG class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[cygvan]

keep trying to get permission from a homeowner or property owner. dont give up. once you find someone that will let you do it the peace of mind is truly worth the effort.&nbsp; its pretty obvious but once you find someone, do whatever it takes to show that you are mucho incognito.<br><br>my host is my best friend of 30 years. i do all sorts of things for them that they dont even ask or expect. and im the first to offer help when they are working on a project.<br><br>it goes without saying of course.<br><br>but i just wanted to encourage you to keep trying to find a host.<br><br>preferrably one with an outside sewer cleanout for emptying porta-potti LOL